Anyaoku, Ambode, Obi, others eulogise Ekwueme

Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, and a former presidential aspirant, Prof. Pat Utomi, were among prominent Nigerians who paid tribute to late Dr. Alex Ekwueme at the Evening of Tributes and Music organised in his honour in Lagos on Friday.

Ekwueme, who was the first Nigerian elected Vice-President, died on November 19, 2017, at the age of 85.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambode described the late Ekwueme as a thinker, an incorruptible politician and a leader who carried himself with dignity and exuded knowledge, experience and maturity.

At the ceremony, which was preceded by a commendation service at the Cathedral Church of Christ in Marina, Ambode, in a speech read by the moderator, Mr. Bisi Olatilo, added, “It is to his credit that the idea of six geopolitical zones has been informally embraced and today it informs aspects of governance in the country. In this respect, his contribution to the country’s political evolution has an enduring quality.”

Also, a former Governor of Lagos State and Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, described the late Ekwueme as a true gentleman who exhibited high level of integrity. He said Nigeria should pray to have “many politicians in the frame of Alex Ekwueme.”

While Obi described the late Ekwueme as a model that today’s politicians ought to pattern their lives after, Anyaoku, in the recorded tributes, described him as an unusual Nigerian politician and a “role model in integrity and patriotism” to all Nigerians.

Also in attendance were Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; former governor of Ekiti State and Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; former governors of Ogun and Abia states, Olusegun Osoba and Orji Kalu respectively and the founder of First City Monument Bank, Otunba Subomi Balogun.

Others were a former deputy governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Sarah Sosan,  Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN), entrepreneur, Tony Elumelu, and billionaire businesswoman, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, who noted that late Ekwueme loved to dance.

The Bishop of Lagos and Dean Emeritus, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd. Adebola Ademowo, said, “He was a great, gentle and soft-spoken man; I wonder how he got into politics.”

Balogun, said the ex-VP “opened the door for me in self-actualisation when perceived doors were close.” (credit: Punch)